[Motorcycleboy]

I've been getting a kick out of some of the posts by Liberal supporters suggesting that the Tory win on Monday was somehow hollow because we didn't get a majority.

That's funny!

Unfortunately, the facts don't bare that out. Although the Tories are outnumbered, this parliament gives them a wealth of opportunities they could only have dreamed of in November when nobody was predicting a Tory win of any type.

Firstly, the Liberals are in disarray. They are bankrupt to the tune of 30 million bucks, leaderless and still locked in a civil war between the Chretien and Martinite clans.

They will need until the fall to choose a new leader, another 6 months after that to hold a policy convention and probably another 6 months to a year after that to rebuild their finances.

As a result, they will be in no hurry whatsoever to go back to the polls until well into 2007 or probably 2008.

Meanwhile, the Bloc was stung by the Tory resurgence in Quebec that cost them a huge number of votes. The Tories won more votes than the Liberals on Monday. The Bloc is going to be taking a break and waiting to see what happens on the provincial electoral front in that province. There's a provincial election slated for 2007.

The NDP has just gotten it's best result since 1988, largely due to Liberal corruption and the desire for change. Those factors are no longer an issue. So they're not going to be in a big hurry to upset the apple cart just yet.

The Tories outlined 5 priorities this election. Their child care benefit, reduced waiting times for health, Harper's accountability act, increased funding for the CF and tougher law and order policies.

Does anyone out there think the opposition would be dumb enough to fight an election against any of those plans?

Who the fuck is going to get up in a leaders debate and say they're opposing Harper because they disagree with the concept of sending murderers to jail for longer periods?

What suicidal maniac would try to oppose increased funding for the CF when Canadian soldiers are fighting and dying in Afghanistan?

And don't forget, the strongest card the Liberals were able to play against Harper this election was still the "Scary" "hidden agenda" one. That's going to be much tougher to do by this time next year.

You see, in a year, when Canadians realize that our kids aren't reciting the American Pledge of Alligiance to the Flag, despite the fear mongering the Libs tried, they're going to be alot less afraid of Prime Minister Harper.

So, all hail the dawn of a new era!

CPC ROCKS!

[Numure]

As long as harper delivers on his promises to Québec, he can count on Bloc support. But if he reconsiders, or waits too long, the people here will get pissed and the bloc will bring the Cons down. Unesco and the fiscal imbalance. The people won't wait.

[OnTheIce]

I agree with most of what you said, but I think the NDP got more seats because the NDP ran a great campaign and appeared to be closer to the centre this time around.

With that said, you have hit the nail right on the head on some key issues.

The Accountability Act - Any politcal party to go against this, would be suicide, especially Liberals.

Lowering the GST: As unappealing as this looks to the eggheads, the public is in love with the idea.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences: This would be a bit hit for the big cities, where they need the support the most.

The good news is, that if they do their best to live up to their promises but are blocked with a bill being voted down, they can use that as ammunition in the next election.

Clean up government, lower the GST and get tough on crime. Those are keys to get the majority next time around.

[Wullu]

Pretty much guaranteed for the next year and change. Any party that drops another election on us any time soon will be signing their own death warrant. The last thing any of us wants right now is for another quarter billion spent on another five or six week ad campaign.

[OnTheIce]

Numure Numure:

As long as harper delivers on his promises to Québec, he can count on Bloc support. But if he reconsiders, or waits too long, the people here will get pissed and the bloc will bring the Cons down. Unesco and the fiscal imbalance. The people won't wait.

I wouldn't think Harper's in a rush to kiss the ass of Quebec.

Harper needs to kiss some Toronto ass and some Vancouver ass before he can lend his lips to Quebec.

[hwacker]

The Liberals are in the hole 40+ million they couldn't afford another election. Also without the combo to the safe they can't adjust the figures anymore

[Numure]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

Numure Numure:

As long as harper delivers on his promises to Québec, he can count on Bloc support. But if he reconsiders, or waits too long, the people here will get pissed and the bloc will bring the Cons down. Unesco and the fiscal imbalance. The people won't wait.

I wouldn't think Harper's in a rush to kiss the ass of Quebec.

Harper needs to kiss some Toronto ass and some Vancouver ass before he can lend his lips to Quebec.

He has 10 ridings in Québec, and 4 more that he almost got. The good results in Québec are only because of the Promises to Québec. If he can't deliver, the Conservative Party of Canada will be barred from here for a very long time.

He shouldnt of made the promises if he didnt think he could deliver.

[Motorcycleboy]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

Numure Numure:

As long as harper delivers on his promises to Québec, he can count on Bloc support. But if he reconsiders, or waits too long, the people here will get pissed and the bloc will bring the Cons down. Unesco and the fiscal imbalance. The people won't wait.

I wouldn't think Harper's in a rush to kiss the ass of Quebec.

Harper needs to kiss some Toronto ass and some Vancouver ass before he can lend his lips to Quebec.

He should do both. He really needs to consolidate the gains he made in Quebec though. That's got to be a priority. Continued strength in Quebec will make the Liberals look increasingly irrelevant not just to Quebecers, but also to Ontarians.

Toronto's tough though. I think it has something to do with an inherent Toronto snobbery more than anything else. Torontonians resent the idea of some "rube" from Calgary running the show. They'll take a Quebecer anyday because they see that as a natural order of Canadian politics, but the chattering classes will probably never accept a westerner as the boss.

Still, he could nutralize alot of criticism by throwing Toronto and Vancouver a few hundered million for subways or something. And law and order will play well in the 905 and maybe Vancouver (although BC is such an enigma nobody ever knows which way people there will go!)


Good point about the GST too. I'd mixed that up with increased support for the CF. You're right though, nobody's going to bring the government down over cuts to the GST.

[bootlegga]

Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:

I've been getting a kick out of some of the posts by Liberal supporters suggesting that the Tory win on Monday was somehow hollow because we didn't get a majority.

That's funny!

Unfortunately, the facts don't bare that out. Although the Tories are outnumbered, this parliament gives them a wealth of opportunities they could only have dreamed of in November when nobody was predicting a Tory win of any type.

Firstly, the Liberals are in disarray. They are bankrupt to the tune of 30 million bucks, leaderless and still locked in a civil war between the Chretien and Martinite clans.

They will need until the fall to choose a new leader, another 6 months after that to hold a policy convention and probably another 6 months to a year after that to rebuild their finances.

As a result, they will be in no hurry whatsoever to go back to the polls until well into 2007 or probably 2008.

Meanwhile, the Bloc was stung by the Tory resurgence in Quebec that cost them a huge number of votes. The Tories won more votes than the Liberals on Monday. The Bloc is going to be taking a break and waiting to see what happens on the provincial electoral front in that province. There's a provincial election slated for 2007.

The NDP has just gotten it's best result since 1988, largely due to Liberal corruption and the desire for change. Those factors are no longer an issue. So they're not going to be in a big hurry to upset the apple cart just yet.

The Tories outlined 5 priorities this election. Their child care benefit, reduced waiting times for health, Harper's accountability act, increased funding for the CF and tougher law and order policies.

Does anyone out there think the opposition would be dumb enough to fight an election against any of those plans?

Who the fuck is going to get up in a leaders debate and say they're opposing Harper because they disagree with the concept of sending murderers to jail for longer periods?

What suicidal maniac would try to oppose increased funding for the CF when Canadian soldiers are fighting and dying in Afghanistan?

And don't forget, the strongest card the Liberals were able to play against Harper this election was still the "Scary" "hidden agenda" one. That's going to be much tougher to do by this time next year.

You see, in a year, when Canadians realize that our kids aren't reciting the American Pledge of Alligiance to the Flag, despite the fear mongering the Libs tried, they're going to be alot less afraid of Prime Minister Harper.

So, all hail the dawn of a new era!

CPC ROCKS!

No, the funny thing is how the Con spin doctors and apologists are making a weak minority government sound like a huge victory. 1993 was a huge victory for the Libs, just like 1984 was for the PCs. This was closer to a flip of a coin...

This time around, the Cons only managed about 20 seats more than the Libs, even though leading in the polls for almost the whole campaign and using their own accountability 'attack ads'. Even with a scandal that had probably half of (maybe even 2/3) Canadians outraged, they still could barely manage a weak minority of about 1/3 the seats.

The only reason we won't be enjoying American-style health care and sending troops to fight Dubya wars next year is because 55+% of Canadians said no thanks to Harper and his right wing agenda. Had they gotten a majority (shudder), this next parliament would be very different from the one that's going to unfold now.

Will parties vote against 1% cuts to the GST? Why bother? I'm sure once Canadians stop getting their GST rebate cheques everyone will be plenty pissed off at the Cons. Why would they vote against defence spending or subsidized day care, when they all promised something along those lines?

I can see lots of things that parties will vote against. If Quebec doesn't see it's getting tons of cash and kickbacks, the Bloc will scream bloody murder about Western favouritism. If the Cons try to bring up the SSM or help Dubya attack Iran (or North Korea), I guarantee they will be turfed out of office. If the backbench nutjobs bring in private members bills about abortion or anything else 'ultra-conservative' watch the shit hit the fan. Harper's going to have to be very careful how he deals with BMD too.

And to top that off, he's going to have to disappoint plenty of his western buddies because he'll need cabinet members from all across the country. It's either that, or he'll create a 'I favour the West' attitude and he'll be gone in six months.

Despite all the crowing going on, Harper's walking a tightrope and even he knows it. Too bad the blind faithful don't...

[hwacker]

It's funny the above almost sounds like the Liberals have won, Newsflash bootlegga your guys lost. And are broke. Once we don't find that canceled cheque the Liberal said they gave you'll be another couple million in the hole.

[Knoss]

$1:

As long as harper delivers on his promises to Québec, he can count on Bloc support. But if he reconsiders, or waits too long, the people here will get pissed and the bloc will bring the Cons down. Unesco and the fiscal imbalance. The people won't wait.

While bloc support is needed to pass legislation the blac and the Liberals have to agree before a non-confidence vote passes, thats going to be tough.

[Motorcycleboy]

"

$1:

bootlegga"No, the funny thing is how the Con spin doctors and apologists are making a weak minority government sound like a huge victory. 1993 was a huge victory for the Libs, just like 1984 was for the PCs. This was closer to a flip of a coin...

What your overlooking is the circumstances. The PC's won in 84 with a charismatic leader in charge of a rejuvenated party fighting a tired, visionless Liberal party with an untested, bland leader.

In 93, the Liberals killed the PC's. But that was in the midst of the worst economic recession since the 30's and with the Reform Party siphoning off millions of votes from the PC's.

On Monday, the Libs managed the unthinkable. They lost to a leader who many Canadians distrust, during a hot economy and without the Liberal version of a Reform Party sucking their support away.

That's a spectacular loss, all things considered.

$1:

The only reason we won't be enjoying American-style health care and sending troops to fight Dubya wars next year is because 55+% of Canadians said no thanks to Harper and his right wing agenda. Had they gotten a majority (shudder), this next parliament would be very different from the one that's going to unfold now.

Fear mongering.

Interesting show on the radio the other day. It seems Paul Celluci, the former US ambassador the Canada, revealed in his book that one Paul Martin wanted to undermine Chretien's decision to keep our troops out of Iraq in 2003. This is supported by Shelia Copps.

Celluci went on to say that their plan failed to recieve the support of Stephen Harper at the time. Harper, although like about 55%+ of Canadians at the time, felt it was wrong to undermine a decision that had already been made democratically.

$1:

Will parties vote against 1% cuts to the GST? Why bother? I'm sure once Canadians stop getting their GST rebate cheques everyone will be plenty pissed off at the Cons. Why would they vote against defence spending or subsidized day care, when they all promised something along those lines?

I haven't gotten a GST rebate check since I was about 22 years old. GST rebate checks are bullshit, and the only people who are eligible for them are useless professional students and other low income societal parasites who don't vote much anyway. Who cares what they think? They don't decide elections. Much better to spread the cuts across the board so that those who pay taxes and contribute to society (like me) can enjoy the wealth.

$1:

I can see lots of things that parties will vote against. If Quebec doesn't see it's getting tons of cash and kickbacks, the Bloc will scream bloody murder about Western favouritism. If the Cons try to bring up the SSM or help Dubya attack Iran (or North Korea), I guarantee they will be turfed out of office. If the backbench nutjobs bring in private members bills about abortion or anything else 'ultra-conservative' watch the shit hit the fan. Harper's going to have to be very careful how he deals with BMD too.

The CPC will bring up same sex marriage. And it will be defeated in a free vote in the commons. Then, we can put it behind us, say we've tried, which will keep the social con wing happy, and move on. You lefties won't have that drum to bang in the next election, that's for sure.

You're comments about Iran and North Korea are ill-thought out sloganeering and not worthy of a serious response.

As for BMD, we'll probably have to wait till we get a majority before we push that through.

But the 5 priorities will be going through, probably this year. It's alot easier to focus on your priorities when you don't have 56 of them!

$1:

And to top that off, he's going to have to disappoint plenty of his western buddies because he'll need cabinet members from all across the country. It's either that, or he'll create a 'I favour the West' attitude and he'll be gone in six months.

That's part of the game. Every PM in history has had to pick and choose. The western elements of the party won't be revolting against Harper anytime soon.

$1:

Despite all the crowing going on, Harper's walking a tightrope and even he knows it. Too bad the blind faithful don't.

Better to be walking a tightrope than plunging to earth, as just happpened to a certain PM who had so much promise in February 2004.

[bootlegga]

Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:

I haven't gotten a GST rebate check since I was about 22 years old. GST rebate checks are bullshit, and the only people who are eligible for them are useless professional students and other low income societal parasites who don't vote much anyway. Who cares what they think? They don't decide elections. Much better to spread the cuts across the board so that those who pay taxes and contribute to society (like me) can enjoy the wealth.

What a sickening attitude that anyone who makes less than $35-40,000 a year is unworthy of Con attention. I guess compassionate conservatism didn't make it across the border, did it? Then again, it didn't last very long there either.

That's why the Cons can't win in the cities (other than Calgary and Edmonton). And that's likely why they won't ever form a majority government anytime soon...

I for one, happen to be one of those 'parasites' who receives a GST cheque every three months. It's not much, only about $40, but every bit helps. I also happen to know several elderly people who get them. Guess their past contributions are worthless, huh?

Am I a professional student? No, but I did make the mistake of getting a BofSC in a province where the best jobs go to welders and plumbers. Am I a societal parasite that doesn't vote? Nope, I've voted in every election since I was 18, even when I lived overseas (had to do it by mail BTW). But I do work almost 60 hours a week ( 2 jobs, 1 FT & 1PT) and pay taxes on my measly annual income.

That sir, is why I'll NEVER vote Conservative. Because they don't care about anyone who can't make a $1000 contribution to their campaign. Don't worry, thanks to you and the rest of you Cons, I'm sending Ralphie's $400 cheque straight to the Libs.

[bootlegga]

hwacker hwacker:

It's funny the above almost sounds like the Liberals have won, Newsflash bootlegga your guys lost. And are broke. Once we don't find that canceled cheque the Liberal said they gave you'll be another couple million in the hole.

Nope, the Libs lost fair and square. It's just that a lot of Cons are going to be mighty unhappy when Stevie can come through with all the promises because he's in a minority. Obviously some of you can see it, but MCB can't...